Photoluminescent vehicle graphics

ABSTRACT

An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a trim portion affixed to a surface comprising a first photoluminescent portion and at least one light source. The light source may be configured to emit a first emission at a first wavelength. The first emission may be configured to excite the first photoluminescent portion in a back-lit configuration. The trim portion is configured to mask the first photoluminescent portion from external light sources to prevent excitation of the first photoluminescent portion in the presence of external light sources.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationNo. 14/502,039, filed Sep. 30, 2014, entitled “PHOTOLUMINESCENT VEHICLEGRAPHICS,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/452,893, filed Aug. 6, 2014, entitled “INTERIOR EXTERIORMOVING DESIGNS,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/301,635, filed Jun. 11, 2014, entitled“PHOTOLUMINESCENT VEHICLE READING LAMP,” which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. patent application No. 14/156,869, filed Jan. 16, 2014, entitled“VEHICLE DOME LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH PHOTOLUMINESCENT STRUCTURE,” which isa continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/086,442,filed Nov. 21, 2013, and entitled “VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM WITHPHOTOLUMINESCENT STRUCTURE.” The aforementioned related applications arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle lighting systems,and more particularly, to vehicle lighting systems employingphotoluminescent structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Illumination arising from photoluminescent materials offers a unique andattractive viewing experience. It is therefore desired to incorporatesuch photoluminescent materials in portions of vehicles to provideambient and task lighting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, an illuminationapparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatuscomprises a trim portion affixed to a surface comprising a firstphotoluminescent portion and at least one light source. The light sourcemay be configured to emit a first emission at a first wavelength. Thefirst emission may be configured to excite the first photoluminescentportion in a back-lit configuration. The trim portion is configured tomask the first photoluminescent portion from external light sources toprevent excitation of the first photoluminescent portion in the presenceof external light sources.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a lighting systemfor a vehicle is disclosed. The lighting system comprises at least onelight source in communication with a control circuit and a trim portionaffixed to a surface. The trim portion comprises a firstphotoluminescent portion and a cover portion configured to house thelight source. The control circuit is configured to selectively activatethe light source to emit a first emission to excite the firstphotoluminescent portion in a back-lit configuration. The excitation ofthe first photoluminescent portion may illuminate the cover portion toreveal a graphic.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a lightingsystem for a vehicle is disclosed. The lighting system comprises atleast one light source and a trim portion affixed to a surface. The trimportion comprises a first photoluminescent portion, a secondphotoluminescent portion, and a cover portion configured to house thelight source. The light source is configured to selectively emit a firstemission to excite at least one of the first photoluminescent portionand the second photoluminescent portion.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle comprising a lighting systemconfigured to generate motion effect;

FIG. 2A illustrates a photoluminescent structure rendered as a coating;

FIG. 2B illustrates a photoluminescent structure rendered as a discreteparticle;

FIG. 2C illustrates a plurality of photoluminescent structures renderedas discrete particles and incorporated into a separate structure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a lighting system configured to convert a firstemission of light to a second emission of light;

FIG. 4 illustrates the lighting system configured to convert first andsecond emissions of light into a third and fourth emission of light,respectively;

FIG. 5 is a graphical representation demonstrating a plurality of Stokeshifts corresponding to a conversion of a first and second emission oflight to a third and fourth emission of light;

FIG. 6A is a detailed view of a first emission of light configured toilluminate a first photoluminescent portion of a vehicle;

FIG. 6B is a detailed view of a second emission of light configured toilluminate a second photoluminescent portion of a vehicle;

FIG. 6C is a detailed view of a first and second emission of lightconfigured to illuminate first and second photoluminescent portions of avehicle;

FIG. 7A is a detailed view of a first photoluminescent portion and asecond photoluminescent portion configured to illuminate a surface of avehicle;

FIG. 7B is a detailed view of a first photoluminescent portion and asecond photoluminescent portion configured to illuminate a surface of avehicle

FIG. 8A is a side view of a vehicle comprising a lighting systemoperable to illuminate a surface of the vehicle from a concealed lightsource;

FIG. 8B is a side view of a vehicle comprising a lighting systemdemonstrating a first photoluminescent graphic illuminated by a firstlight source;

FIG. 8C is a side view of a vehicle comprising a lighting systemdemonstrating a second photoluminescent graphic illuminated by a secondlight source;

FIG. 8D is a side view of a vehicle comprising a lighting systemdemonstrating a plurality of photoluminescent graphics illuminated by atleast one light source;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a vehicle comprising a lighting systemdemonstrating a first photoluminescent graphic and a secondphotoluminescent graphic illuminated by a plurality of light sources;

FIG. 10A is a side view of a vehicle comprising a lighting systemconfigured to illuminate a trim portion of a vehicle in an unilluminatedstate;

FIG. 10B is a side view of a vehicle comprising a lighting systemconfigured to illuminate a trim portion of a vehicle in an illuminatedstate; and

FIG. 11 is a detail cross-sectional view of a lighting system disposedon a surface of a vehicle in accordance with the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure aredisclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosedembodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodiedin various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to adetailed design and some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized toshow function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functionaldetails disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, butmerely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art tovariously employ the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or moreitems, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself,or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed.For example, if a composition is described as containing components A,B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; Aand B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; orA, B, and C in combination.

The terms first, second, third, etc. as utilized herein may providedesignations in reference to the figures for clarity. For example, afirst portion and a second portion may be referred to in someembodiments and only a second portion may be referred to in someadditional embodiments. Such designations may serve to demonstrateexemplary arrangements and compositions and should not be considered todesignate a specific number of elements or essential components of anyspecific embodiment of the disclosure, unless clearly specifiedotherwise. These designations, therefore, should be considered toprovide clarity in reference to various possible embodiments of thedisclosure which may be combined in various combinations and/orindividually utilized to clearly reference various elements of thedisclosure.

The following disclosure describes a lighting system for a vehicleconfigured to illuminate a first photoluminescent portion of at leastone vehicle panel having a first luminescent absorption range. The firstlight source is configured to emit a first emission of light having afirst wavelength corresponding to the first luminescent absorptionrange. In response to receiving the first emission, the firstphotoluminescent portion is configured to emit a second emission. Thesecond emission has a second wavelength that differs from the firstwavelength in that the second wavelength is longer and more acutelyvisible to the human eye. In this configuration, the lighting systemprovides for illumination of the first photoluminescent portion from thefirst light source.

In some embodiments, the lighting system further includes a second lightsource and a second photoluminescent portion having a second luminescentabsorption range. The second light source is configured to emit a thirdemission having a third wavelength corresponding to the secondphotoluminescent portion. In response to receiving the third emission,the second photoluminescent portion is configured to emit a fourthemission. The lighting system is operable to generate a perceived motioneffect or animation by selectively illuminating the first light sourceand the second light source to generate the second and fourth emissionfrom the first and second photoluminescent portions, respectively.

The motion effect or animation as discussed herein refers to a perceivedvisual effect that may result at least partially due to a persistence ofmotion phenomenon. For example, as the first and second light sourcesalternate emitting the first and third emission of light, the first andsecond photoluminescent portions may selectively illuminate and emit thesecond and fourth emissions of light. By alternating between outputtingthe second and fourth emissions of light, the lighting system isoperable to generate a motion effect corresponding to the spatialrelationship between the first and second photoluminescent portions. Themotion effect may correspond to a flickering, oscillating, and/oranimated sequence configured to generate a moving design and/or graphicon the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a vehicle 10 comprising alighting system 12 configured to generate motion effect is shown. Thelighting system 12 comprises at least one light source 14 configured toemit a first emission 16 having a first wavelength. The lighting system12 further comprises at least one photoluminescent portion 18 configuredto emit a second emission 20 having a second wavelength. The secondemission 20 causes the at least one photoluminescent portion 18 to havean ambient glow having a color corresponding to one or more wavelengthscorresponding to the second wavelength. The at least onephotoluminescent portion 18 may comprise at least one photoluminescentstructure that is excited in response to receiving the first emission 16and converts the first wavelength to the second wavelength to illuminatethe at least one photoluminescent portion 18.

The at least one photoluminescent portion 18 may correspond to aplurality of photoluminescent portions. Similarly, the at least onelight source 14 may correspond to a plurality of light sources. In someembodiments, each of the plurality of light sources is configured tocorrespond to each of the photoluminescent portions to illuminate acorresponding photoluminescent portion. For example, a first lightsource 22 may correspond to a first photoluminescent portion 24. Thefirst light source 22 may be configured to emit the first emission 16such that the first photoluminescent portion 24 becomes excited andconverts the first emission 16 to a second emission 20 having a secondwavelength.

In some embodiments, a second light source 26 may be configured to emita third emission 28 corresponding to a second photoluminescent portion30. The second light source 26 may correspond to one of the plurality oflight sources demonstrated in FIG. 1 as the at least one light source14. The second photoluminescent portion 30 may correspond to one of theplurality of photoluminescent portions demonstrated in FIG. 1 as the atleast one photoluminescent portion 18. In some embodiments, the secondphotoluminescent portion 30 may be configured to have a form or shapethat complements the first photoluminescent portion 24, for example ashadow, accent, and/or any form configured to generate a blur or motioneffect offset relative to the first photoluminescent portion 24.

To generate the motion effect or accent, the second photoluminescentportion 30 is configured to become excited and convert the thirdemission 28 to a fourth emission 32 having a fourth wavelength. In thisway, the disclosure provides for the lighting system 12 to be operableto selectively illuminate the first photoluminescent portion 24 and thesecond photoluminescent portion 30 to generate a motion animationeffect. The second light source 26 and the second photoluminescentportion 30 may be disposed on the vehicle 10 similar to the at least onelight source 14 and the at least one photoluminescent portion 18,respectively. Further discussion of the pluralities of light sources andphotoluminescent portions are discussed herein, particularly inreference to FIGS. 6A-7B.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, a photoluminescent structure 42 is generallyshown rendered as a coating (e.g. a film) capable of being applied to avehicle fixture, a discrete particle capable of being implanted in avehicle fixture, and a plurality of discrete particles incorporated intoa separate structure capable of being applied to a vehicle fixture,respectively. The photoluminescent structure 42 may correspond to thephotoluminescent portions as discussed herein, for example the firstphotoluminescent portion 24 and the second photoluminescent portion 30.At the most basic level, the photoluminescent structure 42 includes anenergy conversion layer 44 that may be provided as a single layer or amultilayer structure, as shown through broken lines in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

The energy conversion layer 44 may include one or more photoluminescentmaterials having energy converting elements selected from aphosphorescent or a fluorescent material. The photoluminescent materialsmay be formulated to convert an inputted electromagnetic radiation intoan outputted electromagnetic radiation generally having a longerwavelength and expressing a color that is not characteristic of theinputted electromagnetic radiation. The difference in wavelength betweenthe inputted and outputted electromagnetic radiations is referred to asthe Stokes shift and serves as the principle driving mechanism for anenergy conversion process corresponding to a change in wavelength oflight, often referred to as down conversion. In the various embodimentsdiscussed herein, each of the wavelengths of light (e.g. the firstwavelength, etc.) correspond to electromagnetic radiation utilized inthe conversion process.

Each of the photoluminescent portions may comprise at least onephotoluminescent structure 42 comprising an energy conversion layer(e.g. conversion layer 44). The energy conversion layer 44 may beprepared by dispersing the photoluminescent material in a polymer matrix50 to form a homogenous mixture using a variety of methods. Such methodsmay include preparing the energy conversion layer 44 from a formulationin a liquid carrier medium and coating the energy conversion layer 44 toa desired planar and/or non-planar substrate of a vehicle fixture. Theenergy conversion layer 44 coating may be deposited on a vehicle fixtureby painting, screen printing, spraying, slot coating, dip coating,roller coating, and bar coating. Additionally, the energy conversionlayer 44 may be prepared by methods that do not use a liquid carriermedium.

For example, a solid state solution (homogenous mixture in a dry state)of one or more photoluminescent materials may be incorporated in apolymer matrix 50 to provide the energy conversion layer 44. The polymermatrix 50 may be formed by extrusion, injection molding, compressionmolding, calendaring, thermoforming, etc. In instances where one or moreenergy conversion layers 44 are rendered as particles, the single ormultilayered energy conversion layers 44 may be implanted into a vehiclefixture or panel. When the energy conversion layer 44 includes amultilayer formulation, each layer may be sequentially coated.Additionally, the layers can be separately prepared and later laminatedor embossed together to form an integral layer. The layers may also beco-extruded to prepare an integrated multilayered energy conversionstructure.

Referring back to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the photoluminescent structure 42 mayoptionally include at least one stability layer 46 to protect thephotoluminescent material contained within the energy conversion layer44 from photolytic and thermal degradation. The stability layer 46 maybe configured as a separate layer optically coupled and adhered to theenergy conversion layer 44. The stability layer 46 may also beintegrated with the energy conversion layer 44. The photoluminescentstructure 42 may also optionally include a protective layer 48 opticallycoupled and adhered to the stability layer 46 or any layer or coating toprotect the photoluminescent structure 42 from physical and chemicaldamage arising from environmental exposure.

The stability layer 46 and/or the protective layer 48 may be combinedwith the energy conversion layer 44 to form an integratedphotoluminescent structure 42 through sequential coating or printing ofeach layer, or by sequential lamination or embossing. Alternatively,several layers may be combined by sequential coating, lamination, orembossing to form a substructure. The substructure may then be laminatedor embossed to form the integrated photoluminescent structure 42. Onceformed, the photoluminescent structure 42 may be applied to a chosenvehicle fixture and/or panel.

In some embodiments, the photoluminescent structure 42 may beincorporated into a vehicle fixture as one or more discrete multilayeredparticles as shown in FIG. 2C. The photoluminescent structure 42 mayalso be provided as one or more discrete multilayered particlesdispersed in a polymer formulation that is subsequently applied to avehicle fixture or panel as a contiguous structure. Additionalinformation regarding the construction of photoluminescent structures tobe utilized in at least one photoluminescent portion of a vehicle isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,232,533 to Kingsley et al., entitled“PHOTOLYTICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY STABLE MULTILAYER STRUCTURE FOR HIGHEFFICIENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY CONVERSION AND SUSTAINED SECONDARYEMISSION,” filed Nov. 8, 2011, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

Referring to FIG. 3, the lighting system 12 is generally shown accordingto a front-lit configuration 62 to convert the first emission 16 fromthe at least one light source 14 to the second emission 20. The firstemission 16 comprises a first wavelength λ₁, and the second emission 20comprises a second wavelength λ₂. The lighting system 12 may include thephotoluminescent structure 42 rendered as a coating and applied to asubstrate 64 of a vehicle fixture 66. The photoluminescent structure 42may include the energy conversion layer 44, and in some embodiments mayinclude the stability layer 46 and/or protective layer 48. In responseto the at least one light source 14 being activated, the first emission16 is converted from the first wavelength λ₁ to the second emission 20having at least the second wavelength λ₂. The second emission 20 maycomprise a plurality of wavelengths configured to emit significantlywhite light from the vehicle fixture 66.

In various embodiments, the lighting system 12 comprises at least oneenergy conversion layer 44 configured to convert the first emission 16at the first wavelength λ₁ to the second emission 20 having at least thesecond wavelength λ₂. The at least one energy conversion layer 44 may beconfigured to generate a variety of visible colors by utilizing at leastone of a red-emitting photoluminescent material, a green-emittingphotoluminescent material, and a blue-emitting photoluminescent materialdispersed in the polymer matrix 50. The red, green, and blue-emittingphotoluminescent materials may be combined to generate the significantlywhite light for the second emission 20. Further, the red, green, andblue-emitting photoluminescent materials may be utilized in a variety ofproportions and combinations to control the color of the second emission20.

Each of the photoluminescent materials may vary in output intensity,output wavelength, and peak absorption wavelengths based on a particularphotochemical structure and combinations of photochemical structuresutilized in the energy conversion layer 44. An intensity of the secondemission 20 may be changed by adjusting the wavelength of the firstemission. In addition to or in alternative to the red, green, andblue-emitting photoluminescent materials, other photoluminescentmaterials may be utilized alone and in various combinations to generatethe second emission 20 in a wide variety of colors. In this way, thelighting system 12 may be configured for a variety of applications toprovide a desired lighting color and effect for the vehicle 10.

The at least one light source 14, may refer to the plurality of lightsources including the first light source 22 and the second light source26. The at least one light source 14 may also be referred to as anexcitation source and is operable to emit at least the first emission16. The at least one light source 14 may comprise any form of lightsource, for example halogen lighting, fluorescent lighting, lightemitting diodes (LEDs), organic LEDs (OLEDs), polymer LEDs (PLEDs),solid state lighting or any other form of lighting configured to outputthe first emission 16.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the lighting system 12 is shown in aconfiguration comprising a plurality of photoluminescent portions 80including the first photoluminescent portion 24 and the secondphotoluminescent portion 30. The first photoluminescent portion 24 isconfigured to emit the second emission 20 in response receiving thefirst emission 16 from the first light source 22. The secondphotoluminescent portion 30 is configured to emit the fourth emission 32in response receiving the third emission 28 from the second light source26. Each of the plurality of photoluminescent portions 80 may be excitedindependently. For example, the second emission 20 may be output whilethe fourth emission 32 is inactive, and the fourth emission 32 may beoutput while the second emission 20 is inactive. This selectiveactivation of each of the photoluminescent portions 80 may beimplemented by utilizing photoluminescent materials havingnon-overlapping absorption ranges.

In some embodiments, the first emission 16 from the first light source22 may be configured such that the first wavelength λ₁ corresponds to afirst absorption range of the first photoluminescent portion 24. Thethird emission 28 from the second light source 26 may be configured suchthat the third wavelength λ₃ corresponds to a second absorption range ofthe second photoluminescent portion 30. The first absorption range maycorrespond to a light emission absorption range that is substantiallydifferent than the second absorption range. In this configuration, thefirst light source 22 may selectively activate the firstphotoluminescent portion 24 with the first emission 16 in the firstabsorption range and the second light source 26 may selectively activatethe second photoluminescent portion 30 with the third emission 28 in thesecond absorption range.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary graphical representation 84 of theconversion of the first emission 16 to the second emission 20 and thethird emission 28 to the fourth emission 32 is shown. The independentaxis 86 of the graph 84 demonstrates an absorption range in nanometerswhich corresponds to the wavelengths of light absorbed by thephotoluminescent materials and corresponding photoluminescent portions24 and 30. The dependent axis 88 demonstrates the emission fluorescencepercentage of the photoluminescent ranges as a function of the emissionabsorption. Each of the emissions 20 and 32 from the photoluminescentportions 24 and 30 are configured to output light at one or morewavelengths corresponding to the specific photoluminescent materialsimplemented.

In this example, the graphical representation 84 demonstrates the firstabsorption range 90 and the second absorption range 92 and each of thecorresponding light emissions (e.g. the second emission 20 and thefourth emission 32). The first absorption range 90 corresponds to longerwavelengths of light than the second absorption range 92. In this way,the first photoluminescent portion 24 may be illuminated independent ofthe second photoluminescent portion 30. The absorption ranges andresulting emissions may be configured by the particular photoluminescentmaterials utilized in each of the photoluminescent portions 24 and 30.Various combinations of photoluminescent materials may provide for awide range of colors and combinations of wavelengths to generate themotion effect.

The term absorption range as used herein defines a range of wavelengthsthat excite a photoluminescent portion or structure and cause aphotoluminescent material to become excited. In response to theexcitation, the photoluminescent portion emits an emission having atleast one wavelength of light which is at least partially outside theabsorption range. In various embodiments, the absorption range of thephotoluminescent materials as discussed herein may vary. Additionally,the emission of light in the form of emitted fluorescence may beselected based on the material properties of the photoluminescentstructures discussed herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, an example of a particular combinationof photoluminescent materials and light sources is demonstrated. Thefirst absorption range 90 may correspond to a range of wavelengths inblue and/or near UV range of light having wavelengths of approximately390-450 nm. The second absorption range 92 may correspond to asubstantially non-overlapping range of wavelengths in the UV and/or bluerange of light having wavelengths of approximately 250-410 nm. The firstemission 16 may be approximately 470 nm configured to cause the firstphotoluminescent portion 24 to output the second emission 20 ofapproximately 525 nm. The third emission 28 may be approximately 370 nmconfigured to cause the second photoluminescent portion 30 to output thefourth emission 32 of approximately 645 nm. In this way, the secondemission 20 and the fourth emission 32 may be selectively excited byeach of the light sources 22, 26 to independently output a substantiallygreen colored light and a substantially orange-red colored light,respectively.

In general, the photoluminescent materials of the first photoluminescentportion 24 and the second photoluminescent portion 30 may be combined invarious proportions, types, layers, etc. to generate a variety of colorsfor the each of the luminescent emissions. Though particular materialsand structures of photoluminescent materials are discussed herein,various materials may be utilized without departing from the spirit ofthe disclosure. In some embodiments, the first photoluminescent portion24 is configured to have the first absorption range 90 beingsubstantially greater than the second absorption range 92. Additionally,the second wavelength λ₂ of the second emission 20 may be configured tooutput a substantially shorter wavelength or range of wavelengths thanthe fourth wavelength λ₄ of the fourth emission 32.

In some embodiments, the first photoluminescent portion 24 may comprisean organic fluorescent dye configured to convert the first emission 16to the second emission 20. For example, the first photoluminescentmaterial may comprise a photoluminescent structure of rylenes,xanthenes, porphyrins, phthalocyanines, or other materials suited to aparticular Stoke shift defined by absorption range and emissionfluorescence. The first photoluminescent portion 24 and correspondingmaterial may be configured to have a shorter Stoke shift than the secondphotoluminescent portion. In this way, each of the photoluminescentportions 24 and 30 may be independently illuminated by the light sources22 and 26 to output different colors of light.

The second photoluminescent portion 30 may comprise a photoluminescentstructure 42 configured to generate a longer stoke shift than the firstphotoluminescent portion 24. The second photoluminescent portion maycomprise an organic or inorganic material configured to have the secondabsorption range 92 and a desired output wavelength or color. In anexemplary embodiment, the photoluminescent structure 42 of the secondphotoluminescent portion 30 may be of at least one inorganic luminescentmaterial selected from the group of phosphors. The inorganic luminescentmaterial may more particularly be from the group of Ce-doped garnets,such as YAG:Ce. This configuration may provide for a second stoke shiftof the second photoluminescent portion 30 to be longer than a firststoke shift of the first photoluminescent portion 24.

The first emission 16 and the third emission 28 from the light sourcesare shown having wavelengths in the blue spectral color range andshorter wavelengths (UV wavelengths). Such wavelengths may be utilizedas excitation sources for the photoluminescent portions and providenearly imperceptible lighting sources due to these wavelengths havinglimited perceptual acuity in the visible spectrum of the human eye. Byutilizing shorter wavelengths for the excitation sources (e.g. the firstemission 16 and the third emission 28) the lighting system 12 may createa visual effect of light originating from the photoluminescent portions24 and 30. Further, in this configuration, light is emitted from thephotoluminescent structure 42 (e.g. the first photoluminescent portion24, the second photoluminescent portion 30) from locations of thevehicle 10 that may be inaccessible or costly to add conventional lightsources requiring electrical connections.

To achieve the various colors and combinations of photoluminescentmaterials described herein, the lighting system 12 may utilize any formof photoluminescent materials, for example phospholuminescent materials,organic and inorganic dyes, etc. For additional information regardingfabrication and utilization of photoluminescent materials to achievevarious emissions, refer to U.S. Pat. No. 8,207,511 to Bortz et al.,entitled “PHOTOLUMINESCENT FIBERS, COMPOSITIONS AND FABRICS MADETHEREFROM,” filed Jun. 5, 2009; U.S. Pat. No. 8,247,761 to Agrawal etal., entitled “PHOTOLUMINESCENT MARKINGS WITH FUNCTIONAL OVERLAYERS,”filed Oct. 19, 2011; U.S. Pat. No. 8,519,359 B2 to Kingsley et al.,entitled “PHOTOLYTICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY STABLE MULTILAYER STRUCTUREFOR HIGH EFFICIENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY CONVERSION AND SUSTAINEDSECONDARY EMISSION,” filed Mar. 4, 2013; U.S. Pat. No. 8,664,624 B2 toKingsley et al., entitled “ILLUMINATION DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR GENERATINGSUSTAINED SECONDARY EMISSION,” filed Nov. 14, 2012; U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0183677 to Agrawal et al., entitled“PHOTOLUMINESCENT COMPOSITIONS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND NOVEL USES,”filed Mar. 29, 2012; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0065442 A1 toKingsley et al., entitled “PHOTOLUMINESCENT OBJECTS,” filed Oct. 23,2012; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0103258 A1 to Agrawal et al.,entitled “CHROMIC LUMINESCENT COMPOSITIONS AND TEXTILES,” filed Dec. 19,2013, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, detailed views of the firstphotoluminescent portion 24 and the second photoluminescent portion 30are shown demonstrating a motion effect and/or combined accent lightingin accordance with the disclosure. As discussed herein, the lightingsystem 12 is operable to selectively illuminate the firstphotoluminescent portion 24 by emitting the first emission 16 from thefirst light source 22. The lighting system 12 is further operable toselectively illuminate the second photoluminescent portion 30 byemitting the third emission 28 from the second light source 26. Each ofthe light sources 22 and 26 may be selectively activated by one or morelighting controllers configured to control the first and second lightsources 22 and 26.

The light sources 22 and 26 may be activated in combination orintermittently to generate a visual effect, for example a flickering,wavering, animated movement, etc. When activated in combination, asshown in FIG. 6C, combination of the second emission 20 and the fourthemission 32 provide for the simultaneous output of a first color 100 oflight corresponding to the second wavelength λ₂ and the second color 102of light corresponding to the fourth wavelength λ₄. As demonstrated inFIG. 5, the second wavelength λ₂ and the fourth wavelength λ₄ may eachcorrespond to one or more wavelengths combined to form an average orperceived color of light. Each of the first color 100 and the secondcolor 102 may correspond to different perceived colors or hues of colorsthat may be selectively output to generate a motion effect.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, detailed views of a firstphotoluminescent portion 112 and a second photoluminescent portion 114are shown demonstrating a fading or moving lighting effect which may beconfigured to generate a plurality of colors of light. In this example,each of the photoluminescent portions 112 and 114 may be similar to thefirst photoluminescent portion 24 and the second photoluminescentportion 30 in that the first photoluminescent portion is primarilyilluminated in response to the first emission 16 from the first lightsource 22 and the second photoluminescent portion is primarilyilluminated in response to the third emission 28 from the second lightsource 26. In this configuration, the first light source 22 and thesecond light source 26 may be configured to generate a moving, fading,and/or pulsing lighting effect by controlling the intensity anddirectional focus of the first light source 22 and the second lightsource 26.

Each of the photoluminescent portions 112 and 114 as shown form aselectively illuminated portion 116 that may correspond to a coatingapplied to a surface 118 of the vehicle 10 and/or at least onephotoluminescent material dispersed in a paint or coating applied to thesurface 118. For clarity, the selectively illuminated portion 116 isshown as a simple trapezoidal shape, however, the selectivelyilluminated portion 116 may correspond to any shape, design, accent,and/or combination thereof. Further, the first photoluminescent portion112 may correspond to a first shape or design, and the secondphotoluminescent portion 114 may correspond to a second shape or designeach having different extents and/or proportions. The firstphotoluminescent portion 112 may also partially or completely overlapthe second photoluminescent portion 114 within the selectivelyilluminated portion 116.

As demonstrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first photoluminescent portion112 is demonstrated as a first pattern of lines extending downwarddiagonally from the upper left boundary of the selectively illuminatedportion 116 to the lower right boundary of the selectively illuminatedportion 116. The second photoluminescent portion 114 is demonstrated asa second pattern of lines extending upward diagonally from the lowerleft boundary of the selectively illuminated portion 116 to the upperright boundary of the selectively illuminated portion 116. For clarity,each of the photoluminescent portions 112 and 114 is demonstrated asextending coextensive to the boundaries of the selectively illuminatedportion 116. However, each of the photoluminescent portions may beapplied to any portion of the surface 118 or any other surface of thevehicle 10 where the light sources 22 and 26 may be directed.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the second light source 26 is shown as a secondplurality of lighting devices 120. The lighting system 12 is operable togenerate a second gradient of light or pattern 122 a of light emitted asthe third emission 28, as demonstrated by the length of each of thearrows denoting the third emission 28. Corresponding to the pattern 122a of light, an illuminated area 124 a of the second photoluminescentportion 114 may be excited to emit a fourth emission 126. The firstlight source 22 comprises a first plurality of lighting devices 130 andis also operable to generate a first gradient of light or pattern 132 aof light emitted as the first emission 16, as demonstrated by the lengthof each of the arrows denoting the first emission 16. Corresponding tothe pattern 132 a of light, an illuminated area 134 a of the firstphotoluminescent portion 112 is excited to emit a second emission 136.In this configuration, each of the light sources 22 and 26, and theirrespective lighting devices 130 and 120 are operable to selectivelyilluminate various patterns and portions of each of the photoluminescentportions 112 and 114.

Referring to FIG. 7B, as a further example, the lighting system 12 isoperable to generate a first gradient of light or pattern 132 b of lightemitted as the first emission 16, as demonstrated by the length of eachof the arrows denoting the first emission 16. Corresponding to thepattern 132 b of light, an illuminated area 134 b of the firstphotoluminescent portion 112 is excited to emit the second emission 136.The second light source 26 comprises the second plurality of lightingdevices 120 and is also operable to generate the second gradient oflight or pattern 122 b of light emitted as the third emission 28.Corresponding to the pattern 122 b of light, an illuminated area 124 bof the second photoluminescent portion 114 is excited to emit the fourthemission 126.

The various lighting emissions and corresponding patterns, emitted fromthe first plurality of lighting devices 130 and the second plurality oflighting device 120, may be configured to illuminate different extents,portions and patterns of photoluminescent emissions from the surface118. The photoluminescent emissions are selectively generated by each ofthe lighting devices 130 and 120 by exciting the photoluminescentmaterials of the first photoluminescent portion 112 and the secondphotoluminescent portion 114. The various patterns of light emitted fromthe photoluminescent portions 130 and 120 may be controlled by thelighting intensity and selective illumination of each lighting device ofthe lighting devices 130 and 120. In this configuration, the lightingsystem 12 is operable to generate various patterns of light and lightingeffects on the surface 118 of the vehicle 10. In some embodiments, thelighting system 12 is operable to generate fading, moving, pulsing, andvarious additional lighting patterns by selectively activating thesecond emission 136 and the fourth emission 126 in response to theactivation of the first plurality of lighting devices 130 and the secondplurality of lighting device 120.

As discussed herein, the first photoluminescent portion 112 and thesecond photoluminescent portion 114 may correspond to a first color anda second color, respectively. Each of the photoluminescent portions 112and 114 may also be configured to have a first absorption range 90 and asecond absorption range 92 as discussed in reference to FIG. 5. Ingeneral, the first absorption range and the second absorption range maycorrespond to substantially different ranges or partially overlappingranges of wavelengths of light emitted from the first light source 22and the second light source 26. In the example wherein the first andsecond absorption ranges correspond to substantially differentwavelengths of light, the first photoluminescent portion 112 and thesecond photoluminescent portion 124 may be excited independently bytheir respective light sources 22 and 26. In the example wherein thefirst absorption range and the second absorption range are partiallyoverlapping, the first photoluminescent portion 112 and the secondphotoluminescent portion 124 may be excited partially by each of thelight sources 22 and 26 to vary the intensity and generate a blendingeffect of the first photoluminescent portion 112 and the secondphotoluminescent portion 114.

For example, the first light source 22 may illuminate the firstphotoluminescent portion 112 with an efficiency of approximately 90percent and also illuminate the second photoluminescent 114 portion withan efficiency of approximately 40 percent. The efficiency of each of thelight sources 22 and 26 to illuminate the photoluminescent portions 112and 114 may be controlled by selecting light sources that emit desiredwavelengths of light. The desired wavelengths of light may correspond todifferent portions of an absorption range of a particularphotoluminescent material or combination of photoluminescent materials.In this configuration, the first light source 22 may be operable toblend the emitted from the first photoluminescent portion 112 with thesecond color emitted from the second photoluminescent portion 114.Similarly, the second light source 26 may be operable to blend thesecond color emitted from the second photoluminescent portion 114 withthe emitted from the first photoluminescent portion 112. By varying theintensities from each lighting device of the plurality of lightingdevices 130 and 120, the light system is operable to generate variety ofcolors of light, patterns of light, motion effects, and combinationsthereof.

In some embodiments, the first photoluminescent portion 112 may furtherbe configured to emit a plurality of colors of light from a firstplurality of colored portions 140. For example, the firstphotoluminescent portion 112 may comprise a first colored portion 142, asecond colored portion 144, and a third colored portion 146. Each of thecolored portions 142, 144, 146 may be configured to be excited withvarious levels of efficiency in response to the first emission 16 fromthe first light source 22. Further, the second photoluminescent portion114 may be configured to emit a plurality of colors of light from asecond plurality of colored portions 150. The second photoluminescentportion 114 may comprise a fourth colored portion 152, a fifth coloredportion 154, and a sixth colored portion 156. Each of the coloredportions 152, 154, 156 may be configured to be excited with variouslevels of efficiency in response to the second emission 28 from thesecond light source 26.

Though the colored portions 142, 144, 146, 152, 154, and 156 aredemonstrated as overlapping portions of the first photoluminescentportion 112 and the second photoluminescent portion 114, each of thecolored portions may be applied to distinct and/or partially overlappingportions of the surface 118. In this way, the lighting system 12provides for the illumination of various patterns, colors, designs,lighting effects, and motion effects. The lighting system 12 is operableto control the intensity of each colored portion 142, 144, 146, 152,154, and 156 at various levels and intensities by controlling eachlighting device of the pluralities of lighting devices 130, 120. Asdemonstrated by the various examples and configurations describedherein, the lighting system provides for a flexible lighting systemoperable to provide a variety of lighting effects. The lighting system12 also has the additional benefit of being operable to generate variouslighting effects while maintaining a low cost of implementation.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D, a lighting system 178 may beconfigured to illuminate a surface 180 of a vehicle 182. The lightingsystem 178 may embody various features and elements discussed inreference to the lighting system 12. As such, like reference numeralsmay be utilized to describe various elements of the lighting system 178.The lighting system 178 may be configured to illuminate a first graphic184 and a second graphic 186. Each of the first graphic 184 and thesecond graphic 186 may be configured to selectively illuminate inresponse to receiving an emission from at least one light source 188.The lighting system 178 may also be configured to interact withenvironmental lighting conditions (daytime, nighttime, artificiallighting, etc.) to provide various visual effects displayed byselectively illuminating the first graphic 184 and the second graphic186.

The term, graphic, as used herein may refer to any form of character,logo, marking, shape, and any other form of design. As such, each of thefirst graphic, the second graphic, and any other graphics, design,logos, and/or characters may be interchanged, combined, and/or blendedto achieve a desired appearance for the first graphic 184 and the secondgraphic 186. For example, the first graphic 184 is shown as a logo orgroup of characters, and the second graphic is shown as a shape.However, in various embodiments, the first graphic 184 and the secondgraphic 186 may correspond to any combination of characters, designs,logos, shapes, and/or markings disposed on a surface of a vehicle.

The at least one light source 188 may be disposed on the surface 180 ofthe vehicle 182, and in some embodiments, may be concealed behind apanel or trim strip 190. In this configuration, the lighting system 12may be operable to project light from the at least one light source 188which may result in the first graphic 184 and the second graphic 186becoming illuminated. In some embodiments, the at least one light source188 may comprise the first light source 22 and the second light source26. The first light source 22 and the second light source 26 may each beconfigured in an array of emitters extending longitudinally along thesurface 180 of the vehicle 182. Similar to the lighting system 12, thefirst light source 22 may be configured to emit a first emission 16, andthe second light source 26 may be configured to emit a third emission28. For clarity, the first light source 22 is only indicated byreference numeral 22 in FIGS. 8B and 9, and the second light source 26is only indicated by reference numeral 26 in FIGS. 8C and 9.Corresponding reference numerals for the first emission 16 and thesecond emission 28 may also be indicated in FIGS. 8B and 9, and FIGS. 8Cand 9, respectively.

FIG. 8A demonstrates the lighting system 178 in a first state 270corresponding to the first light source 22 and the second light source26 being inactive. As illustrated, FIG. 8A may demonstrate theappearance of the surface 180 in a daytime or nighttime lightingcondition. The surface 180 of the vehicle 182 is shown having a modeledor textured appearance in the form of a mask 192 corresponding to aregion that may be illuminated by the at least one light source 188. Thesurface 180 may also correspond to a region of the vehicle 182 whereinthe first graphic 184 and the second graphic 186 may be incorporated. Insome embodiments, the surface 180 may be painted and/or coated in anenamel and/or paint configured to provide the textured appearance.

In some embodiments, the mask 192 may serve to diminish and concealemissions of light corresponding to the first graphic 184 and the secondgraphic 186 resulting from environmental lighting conditions. Forexample, the first graphic 184 and the second graphic 186 may compriseat least one photoluminescent material that may become excited inresponse to receiving at least one wavelength of light from anenvironmental lighting source, for example the sun. As a result, thefirst graphic 184 and the second graphic 186 may be at least partiallyvisible when the first light source 22 and the second light source 26are inactive. By applying the mask 192 to the surface 180, the firstgraphic 184 and the second graphic 186 may be substantially hidden evenwhen exposed to environmental lighting conditions.

In some embodiments, the mask 192, incorporating the modeled or texturedappearance, may be applied to the entirety of the vehicle 182 to providea substantially uniform painted appearance. Similarly, the paint of thevehicle 182 may be textured similar to the mask 192. The mask 192 mayalso be configured to appear as a paint accent, for example a racingstripe. In this way, the first graphic 184 and the second graphic 186may be concealed in a variety of ways when the surface 180 is exposed toenvironmental lighting conditions.

Though the mask 192 is described as being utilized to diminish and/orconceal the first graphic 184 and the second graphic 186 when exposed toenvironmental lighting conditions, in some embodiments, the mask 192 maynot be utilized. The luminance of the first graphic 184 and the secondgraphic 186 in response to environmental lighting conditions may behighly dependent on a combination of a color of paint of the vehicle182, a concentration and/or intensity of a photoluminescent materialutilized in the graphics 184 and 186, and one or more colors emitted byphotoluminescent materials utilized in the graphics 184 and 186. Forexample, sunlight may cause each of the first graphic 184 and the secondgraphic 186 to illuminate by supplying an excitation emission similar tothe first and/or third emissions 16 and 28. However, if theconcentration and/or intensity of photoluminescent materials utilized togenerate emissions from the first graphic 184 and the second graphic 186is limited, the broad-spectrum of the sunlight may partially orcompletely washout and/or hide any substantially visible evidence thatthe first graphic 184 and the second graphic 186 are illuminated. Assuch, the mask 192 may be utilized in some embodiments and may not bedesirable in others.

Referring now to FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D, the lighting system 178 isillustrated in a second state 194, a third state 196, and a fourth state198, respectively. A resulting exemplary appearance of the surface 180as demonstrated in FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D may correspond to anenvironmental lighting condition that does not include the firstwavelength and the third wavelength corresponding to the first emission16 and the third emission 28. That is, the lighting condition may notcorrespond to one or more excitation emissions configured to excite thephotoluminescent materials corresponding to the first graphic 184 andthe second graphic 186. For example, the environmental lightingcondition may correspond to a nighttime lighting condition or anartificial lighting condition, such as a lighting condition of a vehicleshowroom.

Additionally, FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D depict the mask 192 in a lessapparent and lighter texture than FIG. 8A. This depiction of the mask192 may provide an exemplary illustration of an embodiment of thelighting system 178 wherein the mask 192 is employed. The less apparentand lighter texture of the mask 192 may serve to demonstrate that duringartificial and nighttime lighting conditions, a contrast between themask 192 and other surfaces of the vehicle 182 may be less apparent. Itmay also be reiterated at this point that the mask 192 may not beincorporated in some embodiments of the lighting system 178 or maybeblended to match the appearance of the other surfaces of the vehicle182.

FIG. 8B demonstrates the lighting system 178 having the first lightsource 22 activated such that the first emission 16 is emitted towardthe surface 180 from a corresponding first array of emitters 202. Thesecond light source 26 may be inactive in this configuration. Inresponse to receiving the first emission 16, a first photoluminescentportion 204 corresponding to the first graphic 184 may become excitedand emit a second emission 206. In this configuration, the firstphotoluminescent portion 204 of the first graphic 184 may be illuminatedto a substantially higher level of illumination or brightness than thesecond graphic 186. The higher level of illumination of the firstgraphic 184 relative to the second graphic 186 in response receiving thefirst emission 16 may be due to the first photoluminescent portion 204having the first absorption range 90.

Referring to FIG. 8C, the lighting system 178 is shown having the secondlight source 26 activated such that the third emission 28 is emittedtoward the surface 180 from a corresponding second array of emitters208. The first light source 22 may be inactive in this configuration. Inresponse to receiving the third emission 28, a second photoluminescentportion 210 corresponding to the second graphic 186 may become excitedand emit a fourth emission 212. In response to receiving the thirdemission 28, the second photoluminescent portion 210 of the secondgraphic 186 may be illuminated to a substantially higher level ofillumination than the first graphic 184. As such, the lighting system178 may be operable to selectively illuminate the first photoluminescentportion 204 substantially independent of the second photoluminescentportion 210.

As discussed herein, the first photoluminescent portion 204 and thesecond photoluminescent portion 210 may correspond to a first color anda second color respectively. Each of the photoluminescent portions 204and 210 may also be configured to have the first absorption range 90 andthe second absorption range 92, as discussed in reference to FIG. 5. Ingeneral, the first absorption range and the second absorption range maycorrespond to substantially different ranges or partially overlappingranges of wavelengths of light emitted from the first light source 22and the second light source 26, respectively. In the example wherein thefirst and second absorption ranges correspond to substantially differentwavelengths of light, the first photoluminescent portion 204 and thesecond photoluminescent portion 210 may be excited independently bytheir respective light sources 22 and 26.

In the example wherein the first absorption range and the secondabsorption range are partially overlapping, the first photoluminescentportion 204 and the second photoluminescent portion 210 may be excitedpartially by each of the light sources 22 and 26. For example, the firstwavelength of the first emission 16 may cause the secondphotoluminescent portion 210 to become illuminated at a lower intensityor brightness than the third wavelength of the third emission 28.Similarly, the third wavelength of the third emission 28 may cause thefirst photoluminescent portion 204 to become illuminated at a lowerintensity or brightness than the first wavelength of the first emission16. In this configuration, each of the light sources 22 and 26 may beconfigured to partially illuminate each of the photoluminescent portions204 and 210 at different intensities to illuminate each of the graphics184 and 186 in various combinations.

Referring to FIG. 8D, the lighting system 178 is shown having both thefirst and second lighting sources 22 and 26 activated. In thisconfiguration, both the first emission 16 and the third emission 28 maybe emitted toward the surface 180. In response to receiving theexcitation emissions 16 and 28, both of the photoluminescent portions204 and 210 may become excited and emit the second emission 206 and thefourth emission 212, respectively. In this way, the lighting system 178may be operable to selectively illuminate both the firstphotoluminescent portion 204 and the second photoluminescent portion210.

In some embodiments, the lighting system 178 may be configured toselectively illuminate each light emitter of the first array of emitters202 and/or the second array of emitters 208. Referring to FIG. 9, thelighting system 178 is shown illuminating a portion of the first graphic184 by selectively activating a first selection of emitters 222 of thefirst array of emitters 202 corresponding to the first light source 22.A portion of the second graphic 186 may also be illuminated byselectively activating a second selection of emitters 224 of the secondarray of emitters 208 corresponding to the second light source 26. Inthis configuration, the lighting apparatus 178 may be operable to createa variety of visual effects by illuminating various combinations ofemitters to illuminate portions of the first graphic 184 and/or thesecond graphic 186.

As described herein, a selection of emitters (e.g. 222 and 224) maycorrespond to one or more contiguous or non-contiguous emitters of eachof the arrays of emitters 202 and 208. Some examples of visual effectsthat may be generated by the lighting system 178 may includesequentially or randomly activating each of the emitters of each of thearrays of emitters 202 and 208 strobing of one or more emitters, and/orflickering various selections of the emitters. Additionally, eachemitter may be varied in intensity to vary the intensity of the firstemission 16 and/or the third emission 28. In this way, the lightingapparatus 178 may be operable to generate a blending effect of thesecond emission 206 and the fourth emission 212 from the firstphotoluminescent portion 204 and the second photoluminescent portion210, respectively.

For example, the first light source 22 may be activated at a firstintensity which may be approximately 50% of a total first intensity. Inresponse, the first photoluminescent portion 204 may illuminate thefirst graphic 184 at approximately 50% of a maximum intensity of thesecond emission 206. Additionally, the second light source 26 may beactivated at a second intensity, which may be approximately 10% of atotal second intensity. In response, the second photoluminescent portion210 may illuminate the second graphic 186 at approximately 10% of amaximum intensity of the fourth emission 212. In this way, the lightingsystem 178 may be operable to illuminate the first graphic 184 and thesecond graphic at various intensities to adjust, blend, and/or projectlighting in the form of second emission 206 and/or the fourth emission212 in various combinations. The lighting system 178 may be operable toadjust the intensity of each emitter of the light sources 22 and 26 byvarying a magnitude and/or a duty cycle of the voltage/current suppliedto the light sources 22 and 26 or each individual emitter of the firstand second arrays of emitters 202 and 208. In this way, the lightingsystem 178 may be operable to adjust the brightness or intensity levelof light emitted as the first emission 16 and the third emission 28.

In some embodiments, the lighting system 178 may further be operable toselectively activate the light sources 22 and 26 to illuminate the firstgraphic and/or the second graphic in various intensities, patterns, andsequences in response to at least one vehicle state. A lightingcontroller of the lighting system may be in communication with a vehiclecontrol module such that the lighting controller may control the lightsources 22 and 26 in response to signals received from the vehiclecontrol module. The signals from the vehicle control module may identifyan operating state of the vehicle 182. The lighting controller maycomprise one or more circuits and/or processors operable to control thelight sources 22 and 26 in response to receiving signals from thevehicle controller configured to identify a state of the vehicle 182.

For example, the lighting controller may be operable to control anintensity or illumination level of the light sources 22 and 26 inresponse to an ambient light condition, a presence detection, or anyform of sensory interface. The lighting controller may also selectivelyactivate the light sources 22 and 26 in response to an ignition event, alocking, unlocking actuation, a gear selection, emergency brakeactuation, etc. In some embodiments, the lighting system 178 may also beconfigured to selectively illuminate the light sources 22 and 26 inresponse to a presence or proximity detection of a vehicle key or keyfob, and/or a signal from a remote keyless entry device.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a lighting system 250 may beconfigured to illuminate a trim portion 252 disposed on the surface 180of the vehicle 182. The lighting system 250 may embody various featuresand elements discussed in reference to the lighting system 12 and thelighting system 178. As such, like reference numerals may be utilized todescribe various elements of the lighting system 250. The lightingsystem 250 may be configured to illuminate at least one photoluminescentportion 254 in response to receiving the first emission 16 from at leastone light source 256. In response to receiving the first emission 16,the at least one photoluminescent portion 254 may become excited andilluminate the trim portion 252 by emitting light in a first color.

In some embodiments, the at least one photoluminescent portion 254 maybe configured to reveal a graphic 260 by selectively illuminating apattern or shape of the trim portion 252 corresponding to the at leastone photoluminescent portion 254. The term graphic, as used herein mayrefer to any form of character, logo, marking, shape, and any other formof design or combination thereof. The graphic 260 may be filled oroutlined by the at least one photoluminescent portion 254. For example,in response to receiving the first emission 16 from the at least onelight source 256, the at least one photoluminescent 254 portion maydirectly illuminate an interior portion 262 of the graphic 260 or anexterior portion 264 of the graphic 260. The interior portion 262 maycorrespond to a region inside an outline 266 of the graphic 260, and theexterior portion 264 may correspond to a region outside the outline 266of the graphic 260. As such, the lighting system 250 may be operable toilluminate the interior portion 262 or the exterior portion 264 toreveal the graphic 260.

Referring now to FIG. 10A, the lighting system 250 is demonstrated in afirst state 270 or an inactive state configured to mask and/or hide thegraphic 260. In the first state 270, the trim portion 252 may beconfigured to have a dead-front appearance configured to conceal thegraphic 260. The trim portion 252 may be composed of an at leastpartially light transmissive material suitable for use on the vehicle182, for example a polymeric material or any corrosion resistant lighttransmissive material. In order to mask the graphic 260, the trimportion may be colored and/or tinted to ensure that the graphic 260 issubstantially hidden from visual recognition in a wide variety oflighting conditions, including direct sunlight.

As discussed in reference to FIG. 8A, sunlight or other external lightsources may include a wavelength corresponding to the first wavelengthof the first emission 16 or any other excitation wavelength that mayexcite the at least one photoluminescent portion 254. In someembodiments, the coloring or tinting may be sufficient to mask theillumination emitted from the photoluminescent portion 254. As shown inFIG. 8A, the trim portion is shaded to demonstrate a translucent smokedappearance. In some embodiments, a light absorbing or reflecting layermay also be disposed on the trim portion 252 or dispersed in thematerial of which the trim portion 252 is composed. For example, anoptical coating or thin film may be applied to and/or dispersed in thetrim portion such that wavelengths of light corresponding to excitationemissions may be prevented from reaching the photoluminescent portion254.

For example, an excitation emission from an external light source, suchas light at the first wavelength, may be limited from reaching thephotoluminescent portion 254 by a light reflecting or absorbing layer toensure that the photoluminescent material is not excited by externallight sources. Some examples of optical coatings that may be utilizedfor the light reflecting or absorbing layer may include absorptive,dichroic, and/or a variety of other light reflective coatings and/orfilters operable to attenuate the passage of wavelengths of lighttherethrough. The light reflecting or absorbing layer may be disposed onthe trim portion 252 approximately to limit the passage of wavelengthsless than 500 nm. In some embodiments, an exterior surface of the trimportion 252 may be vacuum metallized. In such embodiments, a metallizedcoating may serve to provide a metallic and/or chrome appearance to thetrim portion 252 while reflecting excitation wavelengths (e.g. the firstwavelength) such that the photoluminescent portion 254 remains dormantin the inactive or first state 270. In this way, the disclosure providesfor a variety of embodiments to ensure that the photoluminescent portion254 may be selectively illuminated by the light source 256 even whenexposed to external light sources.

Referring now to FIG. 10B, the lighting system 250 is demonstrated in asecond state 272 or an active state configured to illuminate thephotoluminescent portion 254. By illuminating the photoluminescentportion 254, the lighting system may further be operable to illuminateand/or reveal the graphic 260. In some embodiments, the at least onephotoluminescent portion 254 may comprise a first photoluminescentportion 282 and a second photoluminescent portion 284. In suchembodiments, the first photoluminescent portion 282 may correspond to afirst graphic 286 and the second photoluminescent portion 284 maycorrespond to a second graphic 288. The first graphic 286 may correspondto the interior portion 262, and the second graphic may correspond tothe exterior portion 264 of the graphic 260. In this configuration, thelight source 256 may be operable to illuminate the firstphotoluminescent portion 282 and the second photoluminescent portion 284by emitting the first emission 16.

As discussed herein, each of the photoluminescent portions 282 and 284may be configured to emit light in a first color 290 and a second color292, respectively. An emission color or luminance color of the emissionsoutput from each of the photoluminescent portions 282 and 284 may becontrolled by utilizing specific types and combinations ofphotoluminescent materials in the photoluminescent structure 42 of eachof the photoluminescent portions 282 and 284. Each of thephotoluminescent portions 282 and 284 may have similar or differentabsorption ranges that may excite an energy conversion layer 44 of each,respectively. In this way, the lighting system 250 may be operable toilluminate the first photoluminescent portion 282 in the first color 290and the second photoluminescent portion 284 in the second color 292 byactivating the light source 256 to emit the first emission 16.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a cross-sectional view of the lightingapparatus 300 of the lighting system 250 is shown. The lightingapparatus 300 may be connected, or affixed to the surface 180 of thevehicle 182 via an adhesive, fasteners, and/or a variety of additionalmethods. The at least one light source 256 may comprise an array oflight sources 302, for example LEDs configured to emit UV or blue lightapproximately less than 500 nm in wavelength. Each emitter of the arrayof light sources 302 may correspond to a side-lit emitter, for example aside-lit LED. The array of light sources 302 may be in communicationwith a lighting controller 304 of the vehicle 182 via a control circuit306. The control circuit 306 may comprise at least one processor,controller, and or circuitry configured to control the emissions fromeach emitter of the array of light sources 302. The control circuit 306may be in communication with each of the emitters of the array 302 via aprinted circuit board 308. In this configuration, the lighting apparatus300 may be operable to control the array of light sources 302 togenerate a variety of patterns and intensities of light emitted from thefirst photoluminescent portion 282 and the second photoluminescentportion 284 in a back-lit configuration 310.

The trim portion 252 may comprise a cover portion 312 configured toconnect to a base 314. The base 314 may be configured to be affixed tothe surface 180 of the vehicle 182 and may comprise a communication port316 arranged such that the lighting apparatus 300 may be incommunication with the lighting controller 304. The communication port316 may be configured to receive one or more conductive wires configuredto transmit operating power for the control circuit 306. Thecommunication port 316 may also provide for a communication path suchthat the control circuit 306 may be in communication with the lightingcontroller 304.

The cover portion 312 comprises the interior surface 318 and theexterior surface 320. In some embodiments, the at least onephotoluminescent portion 254 may be disposed as a film or coating on theinterior surface 318 of the cover portion 312. The firstphotoluminescent portion 282 and the second photoluminescent portion 284may also be disposed on the interior surface 318. As demonstrated inFIG. 11, the first photoluminescent portion 282 and the secondphotoluminescent portion 284 may be arranged in a pattern correspondingto a cross-section of the first graphic 286 and the second graphic 288.Each of the photoluminescent portions 282 and 284 may be thermo-formed,inserted, and/or deposited on the interior surface 318 to form the firstgraphic 286 in the first color 290 and the second graphic in the secondcolor 292.

The light absorbing or reflective layer 322 may be disposed on theexterior surface 320 to ensure that the photoluminescent material of thephotoluminescent portions (e.g. 282 and/or 284) is not excited byexternal light sources. In some embodiments, the light absorbing layer322 may be dispersed in the material of the cover portion 312 ordisposed on the interior surface 318 between the photoluminescentportions 282 and 284, such that external light sources are preventedfrom exciting the photoluminescent portions 282 and 284. Some examplesof optical coatings and dispersions that may be utilized for the lightreflecting layer may include absorptive, dichroic, and/or a variety ofother light reflective coatings and/or filters. In some embodiments, thelight absorbing or reflective layer 322 may correspond to a vacuummetalized layer applied to the exterior surface 320. In suchembodiments, the metallized coating may serve to provide a metallicand/or chrome appearance to the trim portion 252 while reflectingexcitation wavelengths (e.g. the first wavelength) such that thephotoluminescent portion 254 remains dormant in response to the lightsource 256 being active.

In some embodiments, the first photoluminescent portion 282 and thesecond photoluminescent portion 284 may be configured similar to thefirst photoluminescent portion 24 and the second photoluminescentportion 30. For example, the at least one light source 256 may comprisea first light source 332 and a second light source 334. The first lightsource 332 may be configured to emit the first emission 16 such that thefirst photoluminescent portion 282 becomes excited. In response toreceiving the first emission, the first photoluminescent portion 282 mayconvert the first emission 16 to a second emission 20 having a secondwavelength. The second light source 334 may be configured to emit thethird emission 28 having the third wavelength. In response to receivingthe third emission 28, the second photoluminescent portion 284 maybecome excited and emit the fourth emission 32 having the fourthwavelength.

Each of the photoluminescent portions 282 and 284 may be configured tohave the first absorption range 90 and the second absorption range 92 asdiscussed in reference to FIG. 5. In general, the first absorption range90 and the second absorption range 92 may correspond to substantiallydifferent ranges or partially overlapping ranges of wavelengths of lightemitted from the first light source 332 and the second light source 334.In the example wherein the first and second absorption ranges correspondto substantially different wavelengths of light, the firstphotoluminescent portion 282 and the second photoluminescent portion 284may be excited independently by their respective light sources 332 and334. In the example wherein the first absorption range and the secondabsorption range are partially overlapping, the first photoluminescentportion 282 and the second photoluminescent portion 284 may be excitedpartially by each of the light sources 22 and 26 to vary the intensityand generate a blending effect of the first graphic 286 and the secondgraphic 288. In this way the disclosure provides for a lighting system250 operable to selectively illuminate the first photoluminescentportion 282 and the second photoluminescent portion 284 to generate avariety of lighting patterns, blending, and various other lightingeffects as discussed herein.

The control circuit 306 may comprise one or more circuits and/orprocessors operable to control the light sources 332 and 334 in responseto receiving signals from the vehicle controller 304. The signals fromthe vehicle controller 304 may be configured to identify a state of thevehicle 182. For example, the control circuit 306 may be operable tocontrol an intensity or illumination level of the light sources 332 and334 in response to an ambient light condition, a presence detection, orany form of sensory interface. The control circuit 306 may alsoselectively activate the light sources 332 and 334 in response to anignition event, a locking, unlocking actuation, a gear selection,emergency brake actuation, vehicle speed, braking, turn signal, etc. Insome embodiments, the lighting system 250 may also be configured toselectively illuminate the light sources 332 and 334 in response to apresence or proximity detection of a vehicle key or key fob, and/or asignal from a remote keyless entry device. In this way, the lightingsystem 250 may provide for safe operation of the lighting apparatus 300corresponding to a plurality of vehicle operating states and variouscontrols intended to ensure that the operation of the lighting system250 conforms to lighting requirements and restrictions on roadways.

The disclosure provides for a lighting system 250 configured to outputlight from at least one photoluminescent portion of a lightingapparatus. In some embodiments, the photoluminescent portion may revealat least one graphic on a surface of a vehicle. The various embodimentsprovide for a plurality of photoluminescent materials that may beselectively activated to generate various lighting effects in responseto the activation of a plurality of light sources. The system 250provides various benefits including generating visual effects to improvean appearance of a vehicle, increase value, and provides various safetybenefits by improving visibility.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. An illumination apparatus for a vehiclecomprising: a trim portion affixed to a surface comprising a firstphotoluminescent portion; and at least one light source configured toemit a first emission at a first wavelength to excite the firstphotoluminescent portion in a back lit configuration, wherein the trimportion is configured to mask the first photoluminescent portion fromexternal light sources.
 2. The illumination apparatus according to claim1, wherein the trim portion is configured to mask the firstphotoluminescent portion such that the first photoluminescent portion issubstantially visible in response to the at least one light sourceemitting the first emission.
 3. The illumination apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the light source comprises an array edge-lit lightsource configured to emit light through the trim portion along thesurface of the vehicle.
 4. The illumination apparatus according to claim1, wherein the trim portion comprises a cover portion and is configuredto affix the light source to the surface in a sealed housing.
 5. Theillumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trim portion isconfigured to substantially limit light at the first wavelengthtransmitted to the first photoluminescent portion from external lightsources corresponding to the first wavelength.
 6. The illuminationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illumination apparatus isconfigured to selectively reveal a hidden graphic in response to the atleast one light source emitting the first emission.
 7. The illuminationapparatus according to claim 6, wherein the hidden graphic correspondsto a second photoluminescent portion.
 8. The illumination apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the first photoluminescent portion and thesecond photoluminescent portion are disposed proximate an interiorsurface of the cover portion.
 9. A lighting system for a vehiclecomprising: at least one light source in communication with a controlcircuit; and a trim portion affixed to a surface comprising a firstphotoluminescent portion and a cover portion configured to house thelight source, wherein the control circuit is configured to selectivelyactivate the light source to emit a first emission to excite the firstphotoluminescent portion in a back lit configuration to reveal agraphic.
 10. The lighting system according to claim 9, wherein the trimportion is configured to mask the first photoluminescent portion fromlight originating from external light sources.
 11. The lighting systemaccording to claim 9, wherein the trim portion is composed of an atleast partially light transmissive material and is configured to limit atransmission of wavelengths of light approximately less than 500 nmthrough the partially light transmissive portion.
 12. The lightingsystem according to claim 9, wherein the at least one light sourcecomprises an edge-lit light source configured to emit light through thetrim portion along the surface of the vehicle.
 13. The lighting systemaccording to claim 9, wherein the first photoluminescent portion isthermo-formed to an interior surface of the trim portion.
 14. Thelighting system according to claim 9, further comprising a secondphotoluminescent portion corresponding to the graphic.
 15. The lightingapparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first photoluminescentportion and the second photoluminescent portion comprisephotoluminescent materials configured to emit luminance in a first colorand a second color respectively in response to receiving the firstemission.
 16. A lighting apparatus for a vehicle comprising: at leastone light source; and a trim portion affixed to a surface comprising afirst photoluminescent portion, a second photoluminescent portion, and acover portion configured to house the light source, wherein the lightsource is configured to selectively emit a first emission to excite atleast one of the first photoluminescent portion and the secondphotoluminescent portion.
 17. The lighting apparatus according to claim16, wherein the at least one light source comprises a first light sourceconfigured to emit the first emission and a second light sourceconfigured to emit a second emission.
 18. The lighting apparatusaccording to claim 17, wherein the first emission corresponds to a firstwavelength and the second emission corresponds to a second wavelengthdifferent from the first wavelength.
 19. The lighting apparatusaccording to claim 18, wherein the first light source is configured toexcite the first photoluminescent portion to illuminate a first graphicin a first color.
 20. The lighting apparatus according to claim 19,wherein the second light source is configured to excite the secondphotoluminescent portion to illuminate a second graphic in a secondcolor.